Kyle, TX Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash Laws (2026)

Kyle's leash and restraint requirement for dogs runs through § 5-122. Subsection (a) places the duty squarely on 'any person who owns, keeps, harbors, or otherwise has control over any animal,' making it unlawful to allow the animal to run or be at-large anywhere in the city. Subsection (c) defines exactly what counts as at-large. Off the owner's premises, § 5-122(c)(1)a requires that any animal, other than a pet cat, be restrained by a leash or other physical apparatus strong enough and long enough to control it; a dog walking loose, even briefly, satisfies this definition.

On the owner's premises, § 5-122(c)(2)a requires confinement behind a substantial fence of sufficient strength and height to prevent escape, and § 5-121 separately defines a 'proper outdoor enclosure' as a fence or kennel of at least 150 square feet and at least four feet high that the dog cannot climb, dig under, or jump. Critically, § 5-121 states that invisible fences or similar technology do not qualify as a proper primary enclosure, so an underground shock fence alone does not satisfy the restraint requirement.

A dog inside a vehicle in a public place is treated as at-large under § 5-122(c)(5) unless restrained so it cannot exit on its own. Proof that a dog was found at-large, plus proof of ownership, is prima facie evidence of a violation under § 5-122(f), and animal control officers may impound the dog or issue a citation under § 5-122(e).